A preacher with an unpleasant voice thought of himself as having a melodious one and would shout uselessly. He would say that the cawing of the crow of separation was hidden in the beauty of his melodies, or that the verse "Indeed, the most hateful of voices" referred to him.
When the preacher, the 'Father of Knights,' brayed,
His clamor would shake the foundations of the city of Istakhr.
The people of the village, due to the authority he held, tolerated his nuisance and did not see it as wise to confront him. Until one day, one of the preachers of the region, who secretly harbored animosity toward him, came to visit him and said, “I’ve had a dream about you—may it be a good omen.”
The preacher asked, “What did you see?”
The visitor said, “I saw that you had a beautiful voice and the people found peace from your breath.”
The preacher pondered for a moment and said, “This is indeed a blessed dream, for you have made me aware of my flaw. It’s clear now that I have an unpleasant voice, and the people are distressed by my loud recitations. I repent and from now on, I will deliver my sermons softly.”
I am weary of the companionship of a friend,
Who finds my bad traits to be admirable.
He sees my faults as virtues,
And considers my thorns as roses and jasmine.
Where is the bold, impudent enemy?
Who will reveal my flaws to me.
